I Don't Want to Live on this Planet Anymore

[Townhallsavoy]

By Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times
 
March 2, 2012
Who knew that blindfolding students was part of the curriculum in the Los Angeles Unified School District?

It was, until last week, when a senior district official nixed a lesson in a new fourth-grade reading program.

The blindfolding of students attracted notice after the January arrest of Miramonte Elementary teacher Mark Berndt, who has pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of lewd conduct for allegedly photographing students blindfolded and being spoon-fed his semen.

In light of that case, blindfolding "may be perceived negatively," wrote Deputy Supt. of Instruction Jaime Aquino, in a Feb. 23 memo to principals.

The activity is part of the new California Treasures curriculum and is described in the teacher's edition. The purpose is to "review with students that sensory details are details that we observe by using our five senses."

Students work in pairs, with one blindfolded. Using an object, which isn't specified, the blindfolded student answers questions about the object from the other student.

"The goal is not to guess the object," the directions explain, but "to notice as much as they can with their fingers, nose and ears. Explain that the more detailed descriptions they provide, the easier it will be to identify the object."

There is no tasting involved.

Aquino suggested that teachers "use an alternate means for students to look at sensory details. Instead, students might be asked to explore and use their senses to describe details of objects hidden inside an opaque bag."

In an interview, Aquino acknowledged that blindfolds have been used in lessons for a long time. But it may be wise to use alternatives in the future, he said.

These days, a principal must be "100% more vigilant," said retired Assistant Supt. Angie Stockwell, who said she believes the directive makes sense. And "if I were a teacher today, I would be more cautious."

"What would be normal in one time becomes suspect in another," she said. "When blindfolding, things can happen."

At one school, in a related development, making butter also joined the list of banned activities in L.A. Unified.

Substitute teacher Prentiss Moore has, for 15 years, made butter with elementary-school students in a much-anticipated lesson.

"It is a standards-based lesson with elements of science, social studies, language arts and art," said Moore, 67. "I've done it over 500 times, always with the permission of the teacher, and being careful about allergies."

"The finished butter is served to the class on crackers," he said.

Berndt has been accused of serving students tainted cookies, which caused one parent at a North Hollywood campus to question Moore's buttered crackers.

"Let's be wise," Moore said the principal told him. "Let's not do our butter lesson."

Moore, who has high regard for the principal, said, "The issue to me is how the good teachers are besmirched by the actions of a few."

Former school board member Genethia Hudley-Hayes perceives overreaction by administrators.

"I've done the butter lesson when I taught kindergarten and first grade," she said. "It's fun. It has educational value."

She also questioned the ban on the blindfold activity.

"What you really want is to protect students from predatory behavior," she said. "How does that get us any closer to protecting children?"

howard.blume@latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lausd-blindfold-20120302,0,5609684.story

[Tarheel]

"When blindfolding, things can happen."  To me this is just another example of why home-schooling is probably the best way.  These kinds of stories remind me again of the predation of children which appears so prevalent these days; I hope that there's a special place in the Hell for creatures who prey on the innocents.  One can't trust one's child with the Priest, Preacher, Doctor, Nurse...or Teacher apparently.

[Townhallsavoy]

But why?  Why are these people preying on innocents?  Why do they exist?  Why is it so prevalent now?

[Snaggletiger]

But why?  Why are these people preying on innocents?  Why do they exist?  Why is it so prevalent now?

I ask myself that question on an almost daily basis.  Hardly a week goes by that you don't read the paper down here in our little neck of the woods...little ole city of Dothan with 60-70,000 people....and not see something about a child molester.  Somebody raped a 10 year old.  Some guy has 26 counts of the rape/sodomy of a child under the age of...

I just keep wondering, what the hell is the attraction?  How do you get turned on by a kid?  Sure, we debate about gays and being genetically predisposed to an attraction to same/opposite sex.  I get that.  But what is it about an 8 year old that causes somebody to Rob Chubb?  Is it a need to dominate?  Are you that intimidated by people your own age...or at least OF age?

 

[Tarheel]

But why?  Why are these people preying on innocents?  Why do they exist?  Why is it so prevalent now?

Without getting too philosophical, as much as people want to believe in the basic goodness of mankind the fact is evil exists.  As a codicil, I think I'm recalling this from reading C. S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters" years ago where the devil gleefully brags that one of his greatest achievements was convincing the world that he does not exist.

[GH2001]

But why?  Why are these people preying on innocents?  Why do they exist?  Why is it so prevalent now?

Its a product of what our culture has become the last 30-40 years. Everyone is desensitized to everything. Death is cheered now, communism is cool, no one faces the consequences they should, etc etc fucking etc.

[GarMan]

Its a product of what our culture has become the last 30-40 years. Everyone is desensitized to everything. Death is cheered now, communism is cool, no one faces the consequences they should, etc etc fucking etc.

I'd say you hit that nail on the head.  Modern societies seem to be hellbent focused on relieving people of the consequences of their actions.  Had unprotected sex and end up preggers?  Get an abortion...  Get an STD?  Here's a cure...  Dropped out of college and can't afford health insurance?  We'll provide it for you...  Signed up for a mortgage that you can't afford to pay?  We won't let them foreclose on you...  Fail to plan for your retirement?  Here's your Social Security payment...  And, you've been successful in your career or running a business?  We'll take much of that from you and give it to those less fortunate than you... 

[Townhallsavoy]

I sorta kinda see your point. 

But I definitely don't see the connection between spoon feeding your semen to blindfolded children and getting a welfare check.

[Snaggletiger]

I sorta kinda see your point. 

But I definitely don't see the connection between spoon feeding your semen to blindfolded children and getting a welfare check.

I'm guessing that anyone who didn't really read the article....and just sort of skimmed down to this post...just went, "What the fickity fuck?"

[GarMan]

I sorta kinda see your point. 

But I definitely don't see the connection between spoon feeding your semen to blindfolded children and getting a welfare check.

If the consequences for doing wrong are not that significant and/or do not adequately serve as a deterrent, why not push the envelope from time-to-time? 

[ssgaufan]

I sorta kinda see your point. 

But I definitely don't see the connection between spoon feeding your semen to blindfolded children and getting a welfare check.

If it would have been one of my children, that son of a bitch would be dead now.

[GarMan]

If it would have been one of my children, that son of a bitch would be dead now.

Eggs-mother-fuckin'-zactly!!!